We're getting our very own Madame Tussauds in Dubai
Forget having to jet off to London to get your photo taken with some of the world’s most rich and famous.
Well, their waxy doppelgangers that is.
Dubai is set to get its own branch of famed waxwork museum Madame Tussauds, and the exhibit will open in the autumn of next year.
It’ll be located next to the currently-in-construction Ain Dubai (that massive ferris wheel being built on BlueWaters Island off Dubai Marina), and operated by Merlin Entertainments.
(Merlin are also the guys building the attractions at Dubai Parks and Resorts’ upcoming Legoland).
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The museum, whose main branch can be found on London’s Marylebone Road, also has exhibits across the world, including China, Japan, the US, Germany and Australia.
Plans for a Dubai location were announced as far back as 2008, but it was only this week that an opening date was confirmed.
A museum in New Delhi, India, is also set to open in 2017.
While details about who might appear in the first Middle Eastern location are scant, Madam Tussauds typically features a range of famous faces including singers, actors, politicians, sports star and historical figures.
The London branch also has many figures from the British monarchy – so could we be seeing a double of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE?
Fingers crossed…
Our favourite titbits about Madame Tussauds
Ahead of Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday we’ve hosted a star studded ‘street’ party fit for The Queen. Thanks to all those who voted on Twitter and helped select the ultimate guest list for The Queen’s birthday bash, with eight famous names – past and present. #queen #hermajesty #madametussauds #london #madametussaudslondon #party #danielcraig #williamshakespeare #shakespeare #davidbeckham #barackobama #adele #benedictcumberbatch #kimkardashian #kimk
A photo posted by Madame Tussauds London (@madametussauds) on
– The museum is named after its founder Marie Tussaud, a French wax modeller born in 1761.
– She was taught the art by a physician her mum worked for, and her first sculpture was of French philosopher Voltaire.
– Tussaud toured Europe for 33 years with her collection of models, before setting up shop with her first museum on London’s Baker Street in 1836.
– One of the London museum’s most famous attractions – started by Tussaud herself – is the Chamber of Horrors, an exhibit mostly made up of figures of murderers and criminals.
– The first overseas museum opened in Amsterdam in 1970.
A photo posted by Madame Tussauds London (@madametussauds) on
– Shortly after the divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was announced, their wax lookalikes were moved to separate locations at Madame Tussauds’ in London and the US.
– Model-makers need about 250 measurements from their subjects to create a decent likeness.
– Some famous faces, such as Queen Elizabeth II, have sat for multiple sculptures over the years.
– All figures get their hair washed and makeup freshened on a regular basis.
Image: Getty
